Gastroschisis is becoming more common as the incedince in the United States and abroad rises. The CDC claims that about 1,871 babies are born each year with Gastroschisis. So what factors contribute to this birth defect? Unfortunately, the exact cause of Gastroschisis is unknown to a certain extent. Common links that have been attributed include changes in the babies genes, mother's lifestyle choices such as smoking and drinking, things she may come in contact with in her environment, certain medicines and possibly what she eats and drinks (CDC, 2016). As the CDC continues to study and research these exact links they have also found that younger teenage mothers were at a higher risk than older mothers. It was also found that white females among this young group were more likely to have a baby with Gastroschisis than black teenage mothers. Of these babies born with Gastroschisis, one study reported that 95% will survive hospitalization and treatment. Factors that lead to poor outcomes for these babies were found to include; cardiac disease, gastrointestinal, respiratory and infectious disease complications. Among the highest in these categories for causing mortality included, intestinal atresia, cardiac anomalies, lung hypoplasia and sepsis (Lao, Larison, Garrison, Waldhausen, Goldin, 2010). Another study found a possible cause regarding the pathophysiology and process of Gastroschisis. One hypothesis is that the high level of estrogen during early pregnancy causes thrombosis of fetal vessels; palmitic acid, which is a byproduct of thrombosis, affects cell signaling and prevents the fusion of body wall folds. This occurrence of thrombohilia explains the early onset of Gastroschisis and its high incidence in young mothers (Raveenthiran, 2012). 

Lao, O. B., Larison, C., Garrison, M. M., Waldhausen, J. H. T., & Goldin, A. B. (2010). Outcomes in Neonates with Gastroschisis in U.S. Children’s Hospitals.American Journal of Perinatology, 27(1), 97–101. http://doi.org/10.1055/s-0029-1241729

Raveenthiran, V. (2012). Etiology of Gastroschisis. Journal of Neonatal Surgery, 1(4), 53.